If you grind your teeth at night, you may need a nightguard. A night guard is a custom-fitted dental appliance that protects your teeth from the damage caused by grinding and clenching. Grinding and clenching can wear down your teeth, cause them to become chipped or cracked, and even lead to tooth loss. In Richmond, Virginia, you’ll find experts capable of providing you with night guards. They customize them to suit your dental structure. Thus, book an appointment with the best center if you want a night guard in Richmond. Here are some benefits of using a nightguard.

Protects Your Teeth from Damage

A night guard protects your teeth from the damage caused by excessive grinding and clenching during the night. A custom-fitted night guard can help prevent tooth damage such as chips, cracks, or even tooth loss if you grind your teeth. 

This saves you money because it reduces dental costs associated with repairing damaged teeth. It also makes it less likely that you will need to undergo the costs and inconvenience of dental crowns or root canals.

Protects Your Jaw from Pain

Another night guard benefit is its ability to protect your jaw from developing harmful pain. Grinding your teeth at night can cause considerable pain in your jaw, head, neck, and shoulders. The grinding motion may also disrupt your sleep, leading to sleeping problems and an increased risk of fatigue-related accidents at home, work, and behind the wheel. A night guard prevents your jaw from clenching, a common cause of grinding. It also stabilizes your teeth by preventing them from shifting or moving out of place.

Helps You Relax at Bedtime

Nightguards are not only suitable for protecting your teeth and jaw, but they can also help you relax at bedtime. If you’ve experienced sleep problems caused by grinding, clenching, or jaw pain, a nightguard can help solve these issues so that you enjoy a better sleep every night. A night guard is made from flexible custom material that adjusts to the shape of your mouth. 

This enables you to easily open and close your mouth but prevents you from grinding or clenching at night. Having a comfortable mouthpiece can significantly improve your sleep quality because it allows you to breathe naturally through the mouth instead of the nose, which often dries out during sleep and can cause you to wake up frequently.

Improves Overall Dental Health

A night guard can also improve your overall dental health and hygiene. For example, it prevents you from clenching and grinding your teeth excessively, which often leads to oral infection or other dental conditions such as gum disease or cavities. 

If you already have a toothache or gum disease, wearing a nightguard is an easy way to protect your teeth from further damage while you are sleeping. It also prevents tooth pain and tooth sensitivity, making it difficult to wear your regular mouthguard or dentures during the day.

Nightguards are beneficial for protecting teeth and jaws from damage caused by grinding or clenching. They also help you relax at bedtime, improve your overall dental health, and prevent tooth pain. If you grind your teeth during the night, it’s worth considering a custom-fitted nightguard to protect them while you sleep.